Friday Night Lecture Series: "2025--The Space Year in Review"
2026-02-13 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Highland Road Park Observatory
Tradition continues with HRPO’s cornerstone program looking back at the discoveries, advances and celestial events of the previous year. [Postponed from 2 January. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-02-13 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
HRPO will atttempt sky viewing until at least 9:15pm.
Sunset, 5:51pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:13pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Fair): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 66%, relative humidity 89%, temperature 18C, wind SE 4 km/h

Science Academy: "The Mercury Program"
2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shephard, Deke Slayton. These mens’ names have passed into history and into legend. Many Cadets know why; now the others will as well! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
[To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 431320.

Plus Night: "Love in the Ether"
2026-02-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset: 5:51pm CST. Twilight Ends: 7:13pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. There will also be physical science demonstrations, a marshmallow roast, a sky tour and a game for kids to earn small prizes. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 9%, sky cover 78%, relative humidity 93%, temperature 19C, wind S 13 km/h

Mercurian Elongation
2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Burbank Soccer Complex, 12400 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Periodically, Mercury reaches its greatest angular separation in the sky (elongation) from the Sun. This is the safest way for amateurs to view Mercury. Come join us at the Burbank Soccer Complex! The planet will appear as a “half-Mercury”. A waxing crescent Moon, Jupiter and Saturn will also be seen. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 2%, sky cover 57%, relative humidity 76%, temperature 24C, wind SW 14 km/h

American STEM: 1776-1826
2026-02-20 17:45 - 21:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
20OGS viewing will take place from 7pm to 8:30pm.
The great Constitutional Republic experiment has been going strong for 250 years. In addition to incalculable gifts in the areas of human rights and the arts, the United States education and capitalist and social systems (and our international partnerships) have generated enormous accomplishments in STEM fields.
CELESTIAL TARGETS (weather permitting): 5:45pm, Waxing Crescent Moon / 6pm, Jupiter / 6:15pm, Sirius / 6:30pm, Capella and Winter Triangle / 6:45pm, Pleiades / 7pm, Polaris / 7:15pm, Andromeda Galaxy and Beehive Cluster / 7:30pm, Canopus and The Kids / 7:45pm, Orion Nebula / 8pm, Aldebaran and the Hyades / 8:30pm, Uranus
[This series will follow the Community Discussion format. Part One of Six. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 4%, sky cover 47%, relative humidity 81%, temperature 25C, wind S 10 km/h

Science Academy: "Hello, Operator!"
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Ring, ring! Cadets will learn the origins of the society-changing and versatile telephone. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
[To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 431320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-02-21 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:57pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:18pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 36° in Aries. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 2%, sky cover 41%, relative humidity 73%, temperature 19C, wind N 21 km/h

Friday Night Lecture Series: "150 Years of the Telephone"
2026-02-27 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Although many learned personages had truly crummy predictions regarding the invention’s future in society, the telephone revolutionized the possibilities of long-distance communication. [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-02-27 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:57pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:18pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 84° in Gemini. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 73%, temperature 19C, wind NE 5 km/h

Solar Viewing
2026-02-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in four different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light, directly in calcium-K wavelength and directly hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Aquarius at a maximum altitude of 52°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 11%, relative humidity 53%, temperature 24C, wind E 5 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Astronomy for Personalized Advancement"
2026-02-28 14:30 - 18:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
This program offers advanced topics, activity extensions and all-new games and demonstrations to older youth. Certificates are earned and archived as well as modern experiments take place. There are also giveaways and door prizes. [For ages twelve to sixteen. $15 per EBR parish registrant; $18 per other-parish registrant. Register via WebTrac; use activity number 431321. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-02-28 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 6:02pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:23pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 78° in Cancer. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 3%, relative humidity 63%, temperature 19C, wind S 3 km/hr

Total Lunar Eclipse
2026-03-03 02:30 - 06:15 | Burbank Soccer Complex, 12400 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Overnight excitement as we witness one of nature’s most spectacular events! While crossing from Leo into Sextans and then back into Leo, our Moon will enter Earth’s shadows. There are a variety of shadings the Moon can have; this is dependent on the state of the Earth’s atmosphere. Join us if you can. This will be the last total lunar eclipse seen from the Baton Rouge region until the summer of 2029! [Personnel will be at HRPO from 2:30am to 5:15am, and at the BSC from 3:45am to 6:15am. For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 53%, relative humidity 90%, temperature 16C, wind SE 4 km/hr

The Edge of Night
2026-03-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
It’s not light. It’s not dark. It’s that special time called twilight and HRPO wants to introduce you to it! Are all sections of the sky the same shade of blue? Which stars are seen first? Are Mercury and Venus or the Moon out? Is that moving object a plane, a weather balloon, a satellite or debris in outer space? How much actual darkness should be expected in cities of a certain population? There is no other time like twilight. Bring it into your life! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 14%, sky cover 29%, relative humidity 75%, temperature 26C, wind SE 10 km/hr

Science Academy: "The Gemini Program"
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
In May 1961, the United States vowed to send human beings to the Moon before the onset of the 1970s. Project Gemini was the proving ground for the technology that would be needed. Cadets will be introduced to the exploits of the brave and fabled Gemini astronauts! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
[To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 131320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-03-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Cancelled.
Sunset, 6:07pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:28pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 32%, sky cover 64%, relative humidity 88%, temperature 24C, wind S 5 km/hr

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2026-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
For over four decades the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society has educated countless numbers of citizens in the joys of lunar, planetary and deep-sky gazing; and factors to consider when buying a binocular, a telescope or a camera. BRAS members have constructed their own telescopes and photographic platforms; imaged comets; earned observing certificates; and discovered asteroids. Anyone interested in learning more about BRAS is invited to attend. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

American STEM: 1826-1876
2026-03-13 17:45 - 19:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
20OGS viewing will take place from 7pm to 8:30pm.
The great Constitutional Republic experiment has been going strong for 250 years. In addition to incalculable gifts in the areas of human rights and the arts, the United States education and capitalist and social systems (and our international partnerships) have generated enormous accomplishments in STEM fields.
CELESTIAL TARGETS (weather permitting): 5:45pm, The Sun / 7pm, Venus / 7:15pm, Jupiter / 7:30pm, Sirius and Canopus / 7:45pm, Capella and the Winter Triangle / 8pm, The Pleiades and Polaris / 8:15pm, Aldebaran, the Beehive Cluster, the Hyades and the Orion Nebula / 8:30pm, Uranus / 9:15pm, The Big Dipper
[This series will follow the Community Discussion format. Part Two of Six. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 64%, temperature 19C, wind SE 2 km/hr

Science Academy: "The Apollo Program"
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Escaping Earth’s gravity…buzzing the Moon…setting foot on the Moon…surviving a catastrophic failure of equipment…bringing back rocks and dust from another landscape. Cadets will relive history! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
[To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 131320.

Plus Night: "Pi in the Sky"
2026-03-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset 7:12pm CDT. Twilight Ends 8:32pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. There will also be physical science demonstrations, a marshmallow roast, a sky tour and a game for kids to earn small prizes. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 19%, relative humidity 72%, temperature 20C, wind SE 8 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Wonders of the Spring Sky"
2026-03-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
BREC Education Program Specialist Amy Northrop takes the audience on a fascinating tour of Baton Rouge’s upcoming spring season. She’ll highlight the gems that will sparkle throughout those three months–gems visitors will be able to see live if they continue to visit HRPO! [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-03-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 7:15pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 8:36pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 21° in Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 3%, relative humidity 73%, temperature 19C, wind SW 10 km/hr

Science Academy: "Astrobiology"
2026-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Under the surface of Mars…in the ocean of Europa…in the atmosphere of Titan. Cadets will gauge the probability of life elsewhere than Earth! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
[To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 131320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-03-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 7:16pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 8:37pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 41° in Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 76%, temperature 21C, wind SW 11 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Regional Milestones"
2026-03-27 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
This presentation serves as a turning point in the future of HRPO. As we look at the amazing marks that HRPO and its personnel and volunteers have made in STEM, we remember those who are no longer with us. We will also look forward–toward the new equipment, procedures and programs that are opening the facility to another collection of patrons. The sky belongs to us all! [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-03-27 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 7:20pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 8:41pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 81° in Cancer. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 16%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 20C, wind NW 5 km/hr

Solar Viewing
2026-03-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in four different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light, directly in calcium-K wavelength and directly hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Pisces at a maximum altitude of 63°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 37%, temperature 20C, wind NE 15 km/hr

STEM Expansion: "Energy"
2026-03-28 14:30 - 18:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-03-28 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 7:20pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 8:42pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 75° in Leo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 5%, relative humidity 44%, temperature 17C, wind NE 7 km/hr
